Ra Jin took a deep breath, her shoulders rising noticeably.

Her mind, which had momentarily gone blank, was once again filled with rage.

Only now she understood.

The reason why Yoo Jin entertained me without giving any answer.

The reason why Young Ho, while subtly inserting that the household situation was not good, was watching my reaction.

The reason why Sook Young, through her tears, held onto me and asked me to try on the blouse….

Only now she understood.

It meant to put on that blouse, and face Director Jo.

It meant to participate in this ridiculous play.

… For the sake of family.

However, Ra Jin herself was not included in that ‘family’.

There was a time she thought,

That she was fortunate to be adopted into this house.

Before she was adopted, when she was still living in the orphanage, there were a few among the children who were adopted before her, who ran away after being unable to endure the abuse from their adoptive parents.

Some even attempted suicide just because of the uncomfortable gaze upon them.

They poured out verbal abuse, claiming that the ‘unlucky bastard who rolled in’ was the reason why things were not going well outside.

There were cases where they would starve all day for the reason of eating a snack without permission.

It was common for those who were treated as a heavy burden, unable to easily dispose of the adopted child because they gave birth to a child after receiving a diagnosis of infertility.

Hearing such stories, Ra Jin shivered in terror.

Realizing that adoption doesn’t mean the end.

Finding a family that will truly love me is not an easy task.

She painfully realized that she would have to live her life in constant anxiety, always on the lookout.

Still, she did not want to stay in the orphanage until she became an adult without being adopted.

She didn’t want to hear any more mocking remarks about being a pitiful orphan without parents.

She couldn’t give up the hope that there must be a place in this world that would accept her with love.

Because if she let go of that hope, she wouldn’t be able to live any longer.

So, she was very happy when she was adopted by Young Ho and Sook Young.

They didn’t starve her, hit her, or pour out verbal abuses.

Although she had to yield to Yoo Jin in everything, she thought it was natural as she was the older sister.

Didn’t mom and dad say? An older sister should yield to her younger sister and protect her.

For young Ra Jin at the time, Young Ho and Sook Young were no different from saviors or gods. Their words were as much of an absolute truth to follow.

Compared to the kids who clung to the director, wailing that they wanted to return here, she thought she was fortunate.

Though she was anxious about when she might be abandoned, she considered that to be her own weakness.

I was soaked in selfpity, thinking it was only me.

They told me to work harder if I wanted to avoid being abandoned.

Why did I only realize this now?

If my family truly cherished and loved me, they would have gotten rid of these worries sooner.

I should have been nothing but grateful.

For parents who seemed kind and generous at first glance, who didn’t hit me, who didn’t curse at me, who didn’t starve me.

So I just followed their instructions in my desire to repay their kindness…

And this was the result.

“Kids, we have guests. You should greet them.”
Yu Jin glanced at Ra Jin, who was frozen in place, and slowly rose from her seat.

“Hello, I am Yu Jin.”
“Oh, who is this?”
“She’s our youngest, Yu Jin. Mr. Jo Min Chan, the CEO of Tae San Distribution.”
“Hello. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Oh, your daughter is truly beautiful. She looks just like her mother.”
“Ha ha, that’s an overstatement.”
Oh, this side is quite good too?

But the one they planned to introduce was her quiet and feminine sister.

When Min Chan’s gaze continued to be drawn to Ra Jin, who was still sitting, Suk Young awkwardly approached her with a forced smile.

“Ra, Ra Jin, we have a guest, you should at least greet…”
“What happened?”
“I, I don’t know. He came suddenly, and mother is quite taken aback.”
Ra Jin wanted to ask Suk Young, who was avoiding her gaze as if pricked.

If they ever thought of me as a daughter, even once.

If there was ever a moment when they considered me family.

If it was necessary to go this far.

“……”
Ra Jin took a slow breath.

She was no longer young enough to seek answers.

It was no longer time to demand answers from them, but to make a decision.

There was no denying that she was indebted to them.

At the same time, it was also a fact that she was never regarded as a true family member.

So… she needed to find a way to repay her debt and take revenge at the same time.

Ra Jin, who had taken a deep breath, rose from her seat and slowly turned around.

“Hello. I am Ra Jin.”
Min Chan, who had been staring blankly at Ra Jin, quickly regained his composure and returned her greeting.